Theoretical principles of nursing activities in palliative care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2411-1597.2026.2.16476Keywords:
palliative care, nurses, basic medical sciencesAbstract
Introduction. Nurses constitute the largest professional group among health workers in the world and play a key role in the provision of basic and specialized medical care. Given the rapid aging of the population and the relentless progression of chronic diseases, palliative care is gaining importance as a component of the nursing process. The professional activities of nurses in the field of palliative and hospice care require not only empathy and communicative competence, but also in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, which form the basis of effective and scientifically sound patient care.
The aim of the study – to summarize and systematize modern scientific data on the importance of theoretical training and the application of knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in nursing practice when providing palliative care to patients in the terminal stage of the disease.
The main part. Modern domestic and foreign publications devoted to the role of fundamental medical sciences in nursing practice, the features of nursing activities in the field of palliative care, as well as the main measures of palliative care are analyzed. The medical component of palliative care involves alleviating or eliminating symptoms, optimizing the patient’s quality of life through complex therapy, effective pain relief, and preventing complications. The main task of the professional activity of a modern nurse in the field of palliative and hospice care is comprehensive care for patients with chronic incurable diseases, alleviating their suffering. Research results confirm that knowledge of the basics of human anatomy and physiology is an important factor in the quality of clinical decisions, the safety of patient care and professional communication.
Conclusions. Theoretical knowledge of human anatomy and physiology directly affects the quality of nursing decisions, the effectiveness of care for terminally ill patients, and the application of practical skills during medical interventions. Thorough knowledge of the structure and functions of organs and systems allows for appropriate and safe care, contributes to the timely detection of complications and reduction of symptoms, which generally serves to maintain the dignity of the patient at the end of life.
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